Brian Bailey: The Blogging ChurchThis one is opening my eyes up in a big way. A year ago I advised our clients against blogging - now I see it as an incredible opportunity. This book opens up the possibilities and helps you know how to get it done. (*****)

Become a Fan

August 04, 2010

People will do anything for a free shirt

Do you count on other people to get your stuff done?

Whether you lead a team, draw on volunteers or contract with
outside resources to get your work done (or some combo) it’s key to keep your
people moving, motivated and feeling upbeat about their work.Recently, I was reminded of a very
simple truth that reinforced this point.

My new friend and Fishhook client, Mike Ducy of Run2Relay
has been involved in the running and competition event business for 20+ years.Before launching Run2Relay as a
low-barrier community event for churches to incorporate into their outreach
strategy (and a all out fun event for competitors), Mike owned End Result
and GetMeRegistered.com.Mike sold
these two businesses to allow him the time and focus to create Run2Relay.Recently, Mike and I spent time together connecting with
people at the North American Christian Convention.We were both wearing Run2Relay shirts and the shirts
were a giveaway in his booth.We had devised a simple game people could play that engaged them in
learning the Run2Relay story.As
it turns out, everybody wins the game and everybody got his or her own
Run2Relay shirt.What amazed me
was to watch men and women, teens and kids stop dead in their
convention-induced-walking-trance to play the game…to get the shirt.

A

s Mike and I spent time together, he said, “People will do
anything for a free shirt,” and proceeded to tell me several stories about how
he has used event shirts as the way to get all sorts of stuff done over the
years.Convention center dockworkers
would drop what they were doing and lend Mike a free hand to unload his stuff…in exchange for a airborne tossed
free shirt.Event bystanders would
roll-up their sleeves and jump in to help man a table or water station…for a
free shirt.And the stories went
on.

So, here’s a simple idea.

Connect with your favorite designer and come up with a cool
shirt design to represent your communication team or church.

Hook up with your favorite shirt vendor and get a batch of
shirts made.Stick with one color
and a decent weight T and you’ll likely be at $5/each – print up 100 and you’re
only $500 invested toward a bunch of team love.

Start tossing shirts around.

You’ll bring a smile to your staff, volunteers or partners.

Watch the results. They’ll be more
excited to help you get your stuff done.